Plain packaging conquers the last frontier

In announcing the introduction of Plain
Packaging for tobacco products the New Zealand Government
have taken a momentous step towards the goal of New Zealand
to be Smokefree by 2025.

The Cancer Society applauds
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia and the Maori Party
who have led the charge on this issue.

“Minister
Turia has created a legacy that will have a positive impact
for the health of the next generation of New Zealanders”.
Says John Loof, CEO, Cancer Society Auckland. “By
removing the tobacco branding and increasing graphic health
warnings cigarettes will become less appealing particularly
to children and young people”.

“This is a fantastic
achievement towards a Smokefree New Zealand but, just as we
have seen across the Tasman, there is still the prospect of
legal challenges and delay tactics from the tobacco industry
who will fight hard to prevent these measures from becoming
law. Cigarette packaging and branding has become the last
marketing frontier in which the industry can attract new
smokers”.

“Tobacco products in Australia have
been marketed in plain packaging since Dec 2012 and this
appears to be a widely popular move. With today’s
announcement New Zealand could be the next country in the
world to introduce plain packaging and re-establishes our
position as a world leader in public health policy. Let’s
not let the Tobacco industry spin this out for years on end.
Every year that 5,000 people die from smoking related
illnesses is a year too many”.

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